Online casinos can legally ban players for different reasons. Even if you play fairly, there’s still a chance of being banned, so it’s important to understand why. In this article, I explain common reasons for player bans.
Underage Gambling
Online casinos work hard to prevent underage gambling because they must comply with legal requirements, and most of them are committed to promoting a safe and responsible gaming environment. Not doing so can result in fines, legal issues, and damage to their reputation. Casinos use sophisticated technology and apply Know Your Customer (KYC) policies to prevent minors from gambling. However, some Irish children are so clever that they still manage to create accounts. When they are caught, their accounts get banned. Underage gambling is a huge problem in Ireland with more and more teenagers trying to access online casinos.
False ID and Documents
When signing up for an online casino, players must provide personal details such as their name, address, birth date, and payment information. Casinos require this information for identity verification and fraud prevention.
Why do people lie about their information? For example, underage players might lie about their age to access the casino. Players from countries where online gambling is restricted often use fake addresses or VPNs to bypass restrictions. Some players create multiple accounts with false details to claim bonuses multiple times. As you can see, there are many reasons.
If a casino discovers false information, they usually close the account immediately. The person could face permanent bans from the casino and even other casinos under the same company. Any winnings obtained with false information will be forfeited. Plus if the casino thinks there might be fraud or money laundering, legal action may be taken against the individual.
Multiple Accounts
Online casinos strictly prohibit players from having multiple accounts, as it goes against the rules. If you manage to create duplicate accounts and the casino discovers this, you will be banned, and any winnings will be confiscated.
There’s no legitimate reason to have more than one account unless you attempt to cheat the casino. Playing with multiple accounts disrupts game fairness, particularly in tournaments.
Some Irish players believe they can create one account on desktop and another on mobile within the same platform, thinking everything will be okay. But this is a wrong assumption. Online casinos employ advanced technology to detect multiple accounts, including tracking IP addresses and analysing transaction patterns. It’s really very hard to trick online casinos.
Bonus Abuse
Bonuses are a common way for casinos to attract new players. However, some people think they can take bonuses without adhering to the terms and conditions set by the casino. Bonus abuse can take several forms. After signing up and using the bonuses, abusers may move on to a different casino to repeat the process, or they may try to create multiple accounts to benefit from numerous bonuses and no deposit offers in particular. Alternatively, they may keep their account and only return to play when they receive a new bonus in their newsletter.
Online casinos ban players who try to exploit their offers beyond their intended use. Casinos use various tools and techniques to detect bonus abuse. Therefore, you should use bonuses as intended, without attempting to exploit them.
Use of Prohibited Software
Cheating software in online casinos refers to programs or scripts that give players an unfair advantage in games. This includes bots that play automatically, software predicting game outcomes, or hacking tools that alter transactions. Using such software is illegal and violates the terms of online casinos.
Casinos use AI to monitor betting patterns and detect unusual activity. When unauthorized software is detected, the account is usually banned immediately, and casinos may try to recover any lost funds. Then the casino shares the details of cheaters across multiple gambling platforms, and they blacklist these individuals.
Offensive Language or Behavior
The etiquette in an online casino may differ from that in physical ones, but the principles of respect, fairness, and responsible behaviour remain the same. When a player lacks casino etiquette, other players simply cannot enjoy their gambling experiences.
Your account could be banned for using offensive or abusive language in chat rooms or towards customer support staff. Flooded chat rooms or excessive messaging to customer support can also be disruptive and annoying. Intentionally slowing down games or disrupting their flow is considered rude too.
Initially, the casino may issue a warning to the player, asking them to improve their behaviour. They may then be muted or banned from using chat features. If the offences persist, the casino may temporarily suspend the player’s account. For repeated offences, after warnings, the casino may permanently ban the player’s account.
T&C Violations
The Terms and Conditions (T&C) is a legal agreement between the casino and the player, outlining rules, rights, responsibilities, and dispute resolution procedures. Violating these terms can lead to account suspension or permanent banning. You have to read T&C carefully before you sign up with some online casino.
Common violations of T&C include:
- Bonus abuse
- Identity fraud
- Money laundering
- Use of prohibited software
- Account selling or sharing
- Underage gambling
Failed Login Attempts
Online casinos often have security measures to safeguard user accounts from unauthorized access. One common measure is to restrict the number of failed login attempts allowed within a specific time period. If someone surpasses this limit, the account might be temporarily locked. If the casino strongly believes that someone is trying to access another user’s account without permission, the online casino may take serious steps. This could mean permanently banning the account to stop further unauthorized access and safeguard the user’s money and personal details.
If you are the owner of the account, there is nothing to worry about. You might be asked to verify your identity through email, SMS, or other means. This is to ensure that you are indeed the legitimate owner.
Money Laundering
Online casinos can unintentionally aid money laundering if they don’t closely monitor suspicious transactions. Money laundering can occur in various ways, such as transferring funds between player accounts or using high-stakes gambling to move illicit money through the system. Criminals might also collude to manipulate game outcomes for laundering money.
If an online casino suspects a user of money laundering or financial fraud, they’ll likely act quickly to reduce risks and comply with regulations. This could involve freezing or banning the user’s account, seizing funds from suspicious transactions, and reporting the activity to authorities.
Online casinos constantly review suspicious banking transactions, watching for certain patterns like depositing large sums but not using them, or only using a small amount before cashing out the rest. These actions might raise suspicions and lead the casino to block the user. So, it’s best to only deposit what you plan to spend.
Winning Too Much
Yes, online casinos can ban a player even if they win honestly and legitimately. While winning is the goal for players, online casinos are businesses that need to manage their risks and protect their profitability. Casinos have to balance their desire to attract and retain players with their need to manage their financial risks. If the player’s winnings often exceed the expected statistical outcomes for their games, casinos may ban such players.
I personally disagree with such a policy. I believe that players who legitimately win through fair play should not be unfairly penalized.
What You Can Do if a Casino Banned You
If an online casino bans you, there are several steps you can take to address the situation.
Contact Customer Support
The first step is to reach out to the customer support team of the online casino to inquire about the reason for your ban. Sometimes, bans might happen due to misunderstandings or mistakes, and talking to the support team can clear things up.
Review Terms and Conditions
Read them to understand if you may have violated any rules or policies. If you believe the ban was unjustified or if you’re unsure why it occurred, again ask customer support for clarification.
Appeal the Decision
If you think the ban was unfair or if there are special circumstances, you can ask for a review of the decision. Be polite and respectful when you communicate, and give any info or proof that backs your case.
Seek Alternative Resolution
If you’re unhappy with the online casino’s decision, you can reach out to regulatory authorities or industry watchdog groups for help. They might offer guidance or assistance in sorting out issues with online casinos.
Conclusion
To avoid being banned by online casinos, follow the Terms and Conditions and use your real information when signing up. While casinos can close your account, reputable ones will provide clear reasons for bans and allow players to appeal. Stay calm and cooperative if you’re banned, and try to resolve issues peacefully.
No matter what happens, use this as a chance to learn. Make sure you understand the rules and policies of online casinos. This experience can stop similar problems from happening again.
